BOSTON – Tuesday, February 25, 2014 – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in coordination with Yankee Line, Inc., today announced new regional transportation services coming soon as part of the new BusPlusprogram to increase the intercity and commuter transportation options available across the Commonwealth and all of New England.

BusPlus is a public/private partnership in which MassDOT provides new regional buses to private for-profit bus companies. The companies in return must deliver regional services improvements and will be responsible for all bus maintenance and operating costs. The federally-funded competitive grant program includes replacement of 31 regional buses with new, state-of-the-art vehicles.

The new schedule will add a 9:20 AM departure from Concord to Boston and a 2:50 PM departure from Boston back to Concord. This will supplement the existing schedule that departs Acton at 7:00 AM and Concord at 7:10 AM with a return departing Copley Square at 5:05 PM, every Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Additional new BusPlus services involving other bus companies serving additional communities are also expected to begin in early 2014.

“BusPlus is already making a positive difference for customers with new buses and better options in expanded regional transportation services,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey, “and I thank our intercity and commuter transit partners for helping us in making this happen.”

“We are successfully following through in our promise to increase service in Massachusetts and across New England, and we look forward to additional enhancements for customers in the months ahead,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Division Administrator and MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott.

“We look forward to continuing our work with MassDOT through the BusPlus program, and we know our customers will be happy with the additional service,” said Yankee Line General Manager Don Dunham.

"I am extremely pleased that MassDOT has announced additional bus services into Boston on the Yankee Line beginning March 17th," said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). "It's very heartening to see Governor Patrick's vision of improved public transportation in every corner of the state come to the area. This added bus service, through the BusPlus program, provides yet another opportunity for commuters to avoid driving into work and will reduce congestion along Route 2."

“I am delighted to see MassDOT and Yankee Line, Inc. working together to create new regional transportation services. Extended lines of transportation across the Commonwealth will have long-lasting and positive impacts on our Communities,” said State Rep. Jen Benson (D-Lunenburg). “There are many people in the 37th Middlesex District who work tirelessly to address unmet regional transportation needs, and I am sure the potential of new routes, additional stops on existing routes, and updates to buses, through the BusPlus Program, will alleviate some of these concerns in the region.”

The public/private partnership includes coordination among all New England state transportation departments including New York. The regional service improvements provided through the new BusPlus service includes the creation of new routes, addition of stops to existing routes, extension of existing routes, and increased route frequency.

The BusPlus program will replace regional buses previously purchased through the MassDOT Intercity Bus Capital Assistance Program (IBCAP).

BusPlus is funded by a Federal Transit Administration State of Good Repair grant and will be overseen by MassDOT’s Rail & Transit Division.

New buses include the latest advances in safety and equipped with fully outfitted restrooms, increased leg room, new comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and 110V power outlets at every seat. MassDOT through BusPlus is working towards the goal of providing a universal smart phone ticketing applications to all riders.

BusPlus assists MassDOT in meeting Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of reducing Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the year 2020. Vehicles represent a large source of these gases. MassDOT is committed to pursuing healthier travel options, including biking, walking or transit.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway Division, the MBTA and Mass Transit, Aeronautics, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work. For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.

A Yankee Line, Inc. has been operating the commuter route from Acton and Concord to and from Copley Square in Boston since the formation of the company in 1980. Service operates Monday through Friday and serves many Acton/Concord area residents that work at either the Prudential Tower or the John Hancock Tower – both in the Copley Square area. Yankee also is one of the pre-dominant motorcoach charter and tour carriers in the Boston area. Information is available at 800-942-88900 or www.yankeeline.us.